Marie-Pier Leroux is proud of her Acadian heritage, but has found traditional Acadian Day celebrations overwhelming as an autistic woman.

She says other neurodivergent people have told her that traditional Acadian Day celebrations, which are often large public gatherings involving loud music, can feel daunting.

“It’s either the lights, the noise, and people are hugging each other. People are so happy with this celebration, but (the idea) came to me that maybe we should have something more sensory-friendly for other neurodivergent people that want to celebrate,” she said in an interview.

Leroux is a social worker and works as a project assistant at the non-profit Autism Resource Centre in Riverview, N.B.

On Friday, her organization held its first Acadian Day, or Quinzou as it’s someti

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